4
votes
Accepted
Where does it say that Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, etc are smritis?
The smritis are those texts that teach the Dharma as expounded in the Vedas. Accordingly, they are also called as Dharmashastra (literally translated as Dharma teacher).
The definition of Smriti has ...
4
votes
Accepted
Were Meghnada and Kumbhkarna aware that they were supporting adharma?
Kumbhakarna
Kumbhakarna knew that Ravana was in the wrong. On being called to aid during the war, Kumbhakarna mocks Ravana’s sins by saying:
दृष्टो दोषो हि योऽस्माभिः पुरा मन्त्रविनिर्णये।
हितेष्वनभि...
4
votes
Accepted
What was Sri Rama's opinion on the caste system?
During Rama’s reign as king, the caste system was followed. Each case was engaged in happily performing their own assigned tasks. While giving a description of his reign, the Ramayana says:
ब्राह्मणाः...
4
votes
What is Lord Rama's janma nama?
Lord Rama's birth name is Rama. There is no other name.
"Elapsed are eleven days and the naming ceremony is performed, then
Vashishta, the chief priest, named the high-souled elder one as Rama,
...
4
votes
Accepted
Why did Bhagwan Ram abandon Mata Sita?
The details of Sita Devi's abandonment are mentioned in the Uttarakhand of Ramayana.
Chapter 43 of Uttara-Kanda, details the reason for Sri Rama's decision to exile Sita Devi from the kingdom.
Thus ...
3
votes
What parts of deer meat did Rama eat here?
The translation of Manmatha Nath Dutt does not mention "pure".
And then the two (brothers) having slain the four kinds of beasts, viz., boars, risyas, prishatas and mahārurus,* and taking ...
3
votes
How old was Jatayu when he fought Ravana?
When Jatayu fought Ravana he was sixty thousand years old. He mentions his age in the Ramayana as follows:
षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि जातस्य मम रावण। पितृपैतामहं राज्यं यथावदनुतिष्ठतः॥२०॥
Sixty thousand years ...
3
votes
Is the Moksha achieved after getting slayed by the Supreme Lord impermanent as in the case of Jaya and Vijaya's first two births?
The reason for this 'delayed' or 'deferred' Moksha for Jay and Vijay is actually a very interesting conundrum and I have found the resolution to this in only one scripture which is the Vishnu Puran.
...
3
votes
Accepted
About meat eating and spices in Rama's time
Yes.
Ramayana 2.91:
The men beheld countless dishes of mutton, pork, venison and other meats cooked in fruit-juices and fried in butter with cloves, caraway seeds and lentils simmering gently in them....
3
votes
Lord Rama's marriage suffering and struggles
As per Uttara Khanda, Sage Durvasa had already foretold the sufferings of Rama and Sita to king Dasharatha -
Learn, O King, what happened formerly during the conflict between the
Devas and Asuras. ...
3
votes
Accepted
King Nriga's curse cure by Krishna
Mahabharata, Anusasanika Parva, 70 has all the details.
The story is told by Bhishma to Yudhishtira:
"Bhishma said, 'In this connection, O perpetuator of Kuru’s race, is recited by the righteous ...
3
votes
Accepted
Is it true that in Valmiki Ramayan Ram is described as only a human prince?
No. Valmiki's Rama is explicitly Vishnu himself -
Word of Parashurama -
I have realized your touch of nature as that of the Immutable Supreme Being, God of Gods, the Exterminator of the demon Madhu,
...
2
votes
Why are Ahalya,Tara, Mandodari, Kunti, and Draupadi called panchakanyas?
The five you mention had relations with more than one partner:
Ahalya with Indra despite being married to Gautam. [Reference: Valmiki Ramayan, Baalkand Sarga 49, https://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/...
2
votes
Was Shri Rama named by Maharishi Vashishtha?
There are many meanings of ram naam
रमन्ते योगिनो यस्मिन सः रामः।
Upon whom Yogis meditate and gets delighted ie ram
राशब्दो विश्ववचनो मश्चापि ईश्वर वाचकः।
विश्वानाम् ईश्वरो योहि तेन् राम प्रकीर्तितः।।...
2
votes
Is concept brahman mentioned anywhere in Valmiki Ramayana?
It has been written in many parts of Valmiki Ramayan.
For example:-
एतत्तदुक्तमव्यक्तमक्षरं ब्रह्मनिर्मितम् |
देवानां हृदयं सौम्य गुह्यं रामः परन्तपः ||
Valmiki Ramayan 6.119.32
O great one! O the ...
2
votes
Do any authentic vedic scriptures depict Sri Ram as the only ultimate parabrahman?
Yes. Rama Rahasya Upanishad declare him as Parabrahma.
5-6. He replied, “Hey, great sages and devotees of Lord Vishnu! Please hear my words which cut of all attachments, the greatest principle among ...
2
votes
Was Guru Nanak an avatar of Janak raja?
No,
King Janak got moksha(freedom from cycle of birth and death)
Bhagavad Gita 3.19
Therefore, giving up attachment, perform actions as a matter of duty
because by working without being attached to ...
2
votes
Was Ravan actually a big devotee of Lord Shiva?
No, he was NOT a devotee of Lord Shiva at all. It's a made up story based on some later Interpretations or may be even propaganda.
More details here
Far from any “Shiva Bhakti”, Ravana actually ...
2
votes
Accepted
Why did Rama love Sita so much?
There are probably many explanations for this.
From the marriage of Sita and Rama, (Ramayana 1.73)
Shri Sita, adorned with jewels, took her seat by the sacred fire opposite Shri Ramacandra. King ...
2
votes
Accepted
Is Shiva praised within the Valmiki-Ramayan?
They don't quite praise him long-windedly, but there are positive notions of Shiva. Here are two such lines:
[7.61]
“Thus spoke Madhu, and the Lord of all beings, Shiva, that great God, answered him.
...
2
votes
Accepted
What parts of deer meat did Rama eat here?
Impure parts of sacrificial animal
shatapatha brahmana 3.8.3.11 :
yatra vai devāḥ | agre paśumālebhire taṃ tvaṣṭā śīrṣato'gre'bhyuvāmotaivaṃ cinnālabheranniti tvaṣṭurhi paśavaḥ sa eṣa
śīrṣanmastiṣko'...
2
votes
Is Varanasi (ancient Kashi) mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana?
I don't think Varanasi was a place that Rama visited on his journey, but the city is mentioned a few times. Here are two examples:
Sita praying to Ganga:
Returning to Ayodhya, I will offer a ...
2
votes
Accepted
Why did Rama slay a deer after killing Mareecha?
The answer is given by Valmiki a few Sargas later. In Sarga 46, Sita tells Ravana (who has come in the disguise of a Sanyasi, with a design to cunningly abduct Sita):
samaashvasa muhuurtam tu shakyam ...
2
votes
Accepted
What does knowing one’s soul mean?
The use of the English word self or Self is often used by translators for the Sanskrit 'atman' which has no corresponding English translation. It was first suggested by German translators in the 19th ...
2
votes
kula devi/devata of Shree Rama?
It's Lord Vishnu/Narayana. Rama worshipped Narayana before his coronation ceremonies in Ayodhya Khanda -
After Vasistha left, Rama took bath and meditated on Lord Narayana
with undistracted mind ...
2
votes
kula devi/devata of Shree Rama?
Apart from the other answer already given, it is also mentioned that Devi Kausalya, worshipped Lord Vishnu for the welfare of her son Sri Rama.
Ayodhya Kanda, sarga 17 (critical edition)
kausalyApi ...
2
votes
kula devi/devata of Shree Rama?
Bhagwaan Jagganatha ji, who is Shri Hari Vishnu ji himself, is the kula devata of Raghu vansha clan.
This is further strengthened on the fact that we have various references to Siya-Ramji and their ...
2
votes
Mentions of Valmiki Samhita
Valmiki Samhita is considered as one of the most prominent scripture for the worship of Bhagvan Sri Ram and infact in this text alone for the very first time “Vishishtadvaita” has been quoted, this ...
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